Abstract: A trailer carrying a utility pole has parallel spaced beams and transverse interconnections at a front and spaced inward from a rear of the beams. Rests on top of the interconnections support a pole-holding channel that is connected to the beams with plural pivoted frames. A wire passes through turning blocks at a rearward end of the channel and near the rearward interconnection, rotating the frames and pulling the channel towards the rearmost transverse interconnection until the channel holds the pole upright. The trailer is lowered and the pole is connected to a prepared supporting block. The channel is detached from the pole. The channel and frames are lowered by releasing the wire, and the trailer is raised and towed away.

Abstract: A pony substructure, for use in supporting substructures of drilling rig operations, which includes two parallel oriented frames and two outriggers attached to each frame. In preparation for transportation to and from drilling rig operations, the outriggers are adapted to rotate about a plurality of pivot points, which then enables each outrigger to fold over the top of each corresponding platform.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a high-capacity drilling rig system that includes novel design features that alone and more particularly in combination facilitate a fast rig-up and rig-down with a single set of raising cylinders and maintains transportability features. In particular, a transport trailer is disclosed having a first support member and a drive member which align the lower mast portion with inclined rig floor ramps and translate the lower mast legs up the ramps and into alignment for connection. A pair of wing brackets is pivotally deployed from within the lower mast width for connection to the raising cylinder for raising the mast from a horizontal position into a vertical position. A cantilever is pivotally deployed from beneath the rig floor to a position above it for connection to the raising cylinder for raising the substructure from a collapsed position into the erect position.

Abstract: A completion system and method adapted for use in wells having long lateral boreholes includes a mast assembly, a pipe handling mechanism, a pipe arm, a pipe tub, a pump/pit combination skid, a rig carrier, and a control system. The mast assembly can extend in a generally vertical direction, e.g., perpendicular to the rig carrier and/or the earth's surface, such that the rig can be placed directly adjacent to a wellbore, and the top drive or a similar drive system can be engaged with and move along the mast while remaining above the wellbore.

Abstract: Mobile drilling rigs and methods for moving drilling rigs are disclosed which, in one aspect, include wheel assemblies connected to a rig which wheel assemblies are selectively movable from a rig drilling position to a rig movement position. This abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure and is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims, 37 C.F.R. 1.72(b).

Abstract: A transportable drilling rig having a self-elevating drill floor includes a base structure comprising multiple base towers that can be transported to a wellsite and positioned around an intended wellbore location. A horizontal base frame is installed between lower regions of the towers to form a stable rig base structure, and a drill floor can then be constructed over the base frame and between the base towers. A suitable rig mast can then be erected on the drill floor. Floor-lifting cables are anchored to upper regions of the base towers and disposable around corresponding sheave assemblies associated with the drill floor. The free ends of the floor-lifting cables can be engaged by the traveling block in the rig mast, whereupon the rig's drawworks can be actuated to elevate the drill floor and mast as required and then locked to the base towers.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a high-capacity drilling rig system that includes novel design features that alone and more particularly in combination facilitate a fast rig-up and rig-down with a single set of raising cylinders and maintains transportability features. In particular, a transport trailer is disclosed having a first support member and a drive member which align the lower mast portion with inclined rig floor ramps and translate the lower mast legs up the ramps and into alignment for connection. A pair of wing brackets is pivotally deployed from within the lower mast width for connection to the raising cylinder for raising the mast from a horizontal position into a vertical position. A cantilever is pivotally deployed from beneath the rig floor to a position above it for connection to the raising cylinder for raising the substructure from a collapsed position into the erect position.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transporting and assembling a drilling rig is disclosed. The drilling rig of a preferred embodiment of the present invention utilizes specialized positioning pads integral to the side boxes of the drilling rig to facilitate the connection of the center drill floor of the drilling rig to the side boxes of the rig. A preferred embodiment of the present invention may also utilize a specialized positioning dolly and an adjustable fifth-wheel truck connection for transporting the mast to the drill site, assembling the mast sections together, and positioning the mast for connection to the drill floor of the rig. The result is a unique drilling rig design and sequence for assembly that significantly reduces the time required to transport the rig from location to location and to assemble the rig at the drill site.

Abstract: Structural members widely adaptable for use to build various composite structures and assemblies having horizontal and vertical supports, such as columns, beams and rails, are shown and described. The composite structural members include a longitudinal channel having a web and first and second legs. Each leg includes a plane that extends from a side of the web and is inclined relative to the web, and a cylinder is located at an edge of the leg that is spaced from the web. Various fittings can be used to engage at least one of the cylinders of the channel to fix the channel in position relative to a second, third and/or fourth channel to form the column, beam or rail. Further, select brackets can be used to attach together columns, beams and rails of the assembly.

Abstract: The invention relates to an anchoring device (1) for fixation of a launching unit (50) for highwall mining. The invention also relates to a cylindrical body (2) for use in such an anchoring device. Moreover, the invention relates to a launching unit (50) provided with at least one anchoring device (1) and to methods of fixation and relocation of a launching unit (50). The invention provides an increased stability of launching units (50) for highwall mining.

Abstract: A telescoping rig with an upper mast telescopingly received within a lower mast. A torque carrier is formed of an upper part suspended within the upper mast and a lower part attached to the lower mast. The lower part may be secured to the upper part when the rig is in operational position, and is movable to allow the upper mast to move into a telescoped position within the lower mast. The rig is readied for transport by disconnecting upper and lower parts of a torque carrier, moving the lower torque carrier laterally within the lower mast to allow the upper mast to telescope within the lower mast; and telescoping the upper mast within the lower mast.

Abstract: Retrofit connectors that secure together the outside sheathing and underlying structural members of wood-frame or masonry houses, preventing damage when subjected to lateral stresses from a hurricane, or transverse loads from an earthquake. The connectors have special bushings and bearing surfaces that tie the outside sheathing and underlying structural members together, but allow deflection, and transfer of energy to other structural members. Different embodiments of the connectors allow them to adapt to most wood-frame and masonry homes, and to most roof pitches.

Abstract: Retrofit connectors that secure together the outside sheathing and underlying structural members of wood-frame or masonry houses, preventing damage when subjected to lateral stresses from a hurricane, or transverse loads from an earthquake. The connectors have special bushings and bearing surfaces that tie the outside sheathing and underlying structural members together, but allow deflection, and transfer of energy to other structural members. Different embodiments of the connectors allow them to adapt to most wood-frame and masonry homes, and to most roof pitches.

Abstract: A boom attachment for a prime mover for lifting and setting trusses, walls, beams, and related structural components. The boom attachment for a prime mover includes a boom assembly including a prime-mover attachment assembly being adapted to mount to a prime mover, and also including a plurality of elongate support members, and further including transverse and cross members interconnecting the elongate support members; and also includes an extension assembly being movably and adjustably mounted to the boom assembly.

Abstract: A viewport is located in the floor of a drill rig operator's cab to enable a rig operator to view drilling operations. As drilling commences, the operator may view the material underlying the rig and make a visual determination that the coal seam has been reached, by identifying that the material has the characteristic black color of the coal. When the coal seam is reached, the drilling operation is then altered accordingly to prevent overdrilling.

Abstract: A drill mast has two tubular side chords and a central chord equally spaced from the side chords. The central chord is joined to the side chords by transverse and diagonal tubular lacing members. Space frames formed of tubular members extending from spheres are connected to each of the chords. The spheres are aligned along a line equidistant from the chords.